Fluid mixing device

ABSTRACT

A mixing manifold is provided with a plurality of inlet passages each having an individual inlet opening, with all of the inlet passages communicating with a common discharge passage and opening. The feed passages are adapted for communication with individual supply reservoirs by means of suitable conduits. Separate control valves provided in each inlet passage are adjustable for predetermining the amount of flow through each passage to the common discharge passage.

United States Patent Marshall [54] FLUID MIXING DEVICE [72] Inventor: Harold A. Marshall, 65 Carnegie Ave., East Orange, NJ. 07018 [22] Filed: Apr. 30, 1970 [21] App1.No.: 33,316

[52] US. Cl ..137/552, 137/556.6, 137/606, 251/292, 251/312 [51] Int. Cl ..F16k19/00, F16k 5/04 [58] Field ofSearch ..137/606, 608, 552, 556.3, 5566; 251/181, 292, 309; 222/25; 239/73, 413, 416.1

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 773,203 10/1904 Fosdick ..239/4l3 X 1,370,759 3/1921 Oliver ....137/606 X 1,750,012 3/1930 Lerner ..137/556.6

[ 1 May 23, 1972 Gustafson ..137/556.6 1,362,228 12/1920 Cleveland 1,099,713 6/1914 Morris 1,128,445 2/1915 l-lenning 137/5566 2,599,274 6/1952 Mumin, Jr... ..25 l/309 30,122 9/1860 Cleveland ..25 1/181 Primary Examiner-Robert G. Nilson AttarneyCecil L. Wood [571 ABSTRACT A mixing manifold is provided with a plurality of inlet passages each having an individual inlet opening, with all of the inlet passages communicating with a common discharge passage and opening. The feed passages are adapted for communication with individual supply reservoirs by means of suitable conduits. Separate control valves provided in each inlet passage are adjustable for predeten'nining the amount of flow through each passage to the common discharge passage.

1 Claim, 12 Drawing figures PATENTEDMAY23IH72 3.664.372

sum 1 0F 2 Harold A.Marsholl ATTORNEY PATENTEDMAY23 I972 33. 664, 372

SHEET 2 0F 2 II ma num:

IINVENTOR. Harold A. Morsholj/ ATTORNEY FLUID MIXING DEVICE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the mixing of materials including gases, liquids, and comminuted or granular solids, and more particularly to a mixing device for achieving selected proportions of ingredients to be mixed.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved device for preselecting proportions of ingredients to be mixed together.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved mixing device for mixing materials of varying densities.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved mixing device for preselecting the proportions of the ingredients to be mixed and for readily changing the proportions thereof as required.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved mixing device for use with either gasses, liquids or comminuted solids.

The novel features of the invention, as well as additional objects and the advantages thereof, will be understood more fully from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is an elevational view of one form of mixing manifold according to the invention.-

FIG. 2 is an end view of the manifold of FIG. 1 as viewed from the left.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a manifold valve assembly as viewed along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of another manifold valve assembly as viewed along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an exploeded view of the manifold housing and valve assemblies of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a mixing system including pressurized supply tanks and an alternative form of mixing manifold.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a gravity feed mixing system, including a plurality of supply reservoirs and another alternative form of mixing manifold, and

FIGS. 8 through 11 are views of alternative forms of mixing manifolds according to the invention.

FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings illustrate a preferred form of mixing manifold 10 comprising a housing fabricated from any suitable material such as metal, plastic or glass, for example, and formed in the shape of a Y having one elongated main leg 11 and a branch leg 12. The housing is cast or machined to define opposite parallel faces 13 and 14. The main leg 11 is provided with a longitudinal bore 15a terminating, at the base end, in a threaded counterbore l6 and terminating, at the other end, in a threaded counterbore 17. The branch leg 12 also includes a longitudinal bore 18 communicating at one end with the bore 15 and terminating at the outer end of the branch leg in a threaded counterbore 19.

Each of the threaded counterbores 16, 17 and 19 are provided to receive a threaded fitting 20 at the end of an appropriate conduit 21. The counterbores 17 and 19, and their respective associated passages 15a and 18, define separate inlet passages which merge into a common outlet passage 15b and outlet 16. The inlet passages 15a and 18 are preferably circular and uniform in cross-section, and are intersected by transverse valve bores 24 and 25 extending between the housing walls 13 and 14. The valve bores include respective counterbores 24a and 25a opening to the housing surface 13, and counterbores 24b and 2511 opening to the opposite housing surface 14.

The valve bores 24 and 25 define seats for respective valve members 26 and 27 which are generally similar in configuration. The valve member 26 includes a cylindrical body or shank 28 and a larger diameter flat head 29, with the cylindrical shank 29 being provided with a transverse bore 30. In assembled relation, as best seen in FIG. 4, the overall length of the valve member 26 is slightly less than the distance between the housing faces 13 and 14 so that the valve does not present any protuberances from the faces of the housing.

The valve head 29 is dimensioned to be completely received within the counter bore 24a, and the opposite end of the valve body 28 extends through the housing to the counterbore 24b, being provided with an annular groove 31 adjacent at its end to accommodate a beveled spring, lock washer 32 which serves both as a retaining ring for the valve member 26 and also as a spring means bearing against the base of the counterbore 24b to urge the valve head 29 into frictional engagement with the base of the counterbore 24a. In this manner the valve member 26 will maintain its selected rotational position relative to the valve bore 25.

In FIG. 4, the valve member 26 is shown in the full open position wherein the valve bore 30, which has the same diameter as the passage 15a, is fully aligned with the latter to provide for the smooth flow of material through the valve.

The valve head 29 is provided with a transverse slot 33 to receive the tip of a screwdriver, or other suitable implement, for rotating the valve member 26 relative to the valve bore 25 to vary the flow orifice defined between the valve member and housing and thereby control the flow of material through the valve. Indicia are provided on the housing surface 13 and the valve head 29 for indicating the area of the valve orifice in several rotational positions of the valve member, and these may take the form of indentations etched or otherwise formed in the respective surfaces. For example, a representation of an arrow 34 may be formed in the housing surface 13 adjacent to the counterbore 24a, and angularly spaced radial lines 35 may be provided around the periphery of the valve head 29.

The valve member 27 is similar in configuration including a body or shank 37 and a head 38, and differing in that the valve orifice is defined by three small transverse passages 39 as best seen in FIG. 3. The valve member 27 is designed for use in the processing of materials of relatively fine aggregate. The valve bores 24 and 25 are of the same diameter, as are the valves 26 and 27, with the exception of the respective valve orifices and possibly with the exception of the indicia 35 on the valve heads so that either of the valves 26 and 27 may be used alternatively in either of the valve bores 24 and 25.

It will be seen then that for a manifold 10 having two inlet passages as described, two of the valves 26 may be assembled with the manifold to provide for a maximum flow of material through both of the feed passages, with the flow being controlled of course by selected rotation of the valve members. Alternatively, two of the valves 27. may be used with the manifold, where the application of the manifold requires a smaller flow and final control of the relative flow through the two feed passages through the selective rotation of the valve members. The other alternative is the illustrated form wherein the one feed passage includes a valve 26 having the larger flow orifice, and the other feed passage includes a valve 27 having a smaller flow orifice, this arrangement being appropriate where the amount of material to be fed through one of the feed passages is much greater than that to be fed through the other feed passage.

FIG. 6 of the drawing illustrates a mixing system including a manifold 40 of a type generally similar to the manifold 10, but providing three inlet passages for the mixing of three separate ingredients and a common outlet passage. The manifold 40 includes three inlet legs 41, 42 and 43 and an outlet leg 44, the inlet legs enclosing respective inlet passages which merge with the outlet passage in the outlet leg. Pressurized supply tanks 45, 46 and 47 are connected through suitable conduits to the manifold inlet legs 41, 42 and 43, respectively. The outlet leg 44 of the manifold is connected by means of a suitable conduit to a receiver tank or reservoir 48 from which the mixed material may be dispensed as required. A valve member 49 is provided in each inlet passage of the manifold 40, these valves having the configuration of one of the valves 26 or 27 described above. The mixing system of FIG. 6 is a pressurized system which is suitable for use in the mixing of either gaseous or liquid materials.

FIG. 7 illustrates another mixing system particularly adapted for use as a gravity feed system for either liquid or comminuted solid materials. In this system, a manifold 55 ineludes seven inlet passages 56 having individual inlet openings and merging with a common discharge passage 57. Individual supply reservoirs 58 are connected through suitable conduits 59 with each of the respective inlet passages 56, and each inlet passage includes an adjustable control valve 60, of the type described above, for individually controlling the flow of material from each of the respective supply reservoirs 58. The outlet passage 57 is connected by means of a suitable conduit 61 to a receiver reservoir 62 from which the material is dispensed for desired use.

FIGS. 8 through 11 illustrate other forms of manifolds including, for example, two inlet passages and control valves for the mixing of two ingredients in a manner similar to the manifold of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 8, a manifold 65 comprises a rectangular housing, fabricated from any suitable material such as metal, plastic or glass, for example, including parallel inlet passages 66 and 67 and having respective adjustable flow control valves 68 and 69 for controlling the flow through these passages. Internally threaded recesses are provided at each end of the two passages 66 and 67 to accommodate inlet nipples 70 and outlet nipples 71, and the latter may be connected through a suitable Y-fitting to a common discharge conduit, or alternatively, they may be connected individually to a dispensing reservoir which defines a common discharge.

Referring to FIG. 9, a manifold 73 provides inlet passages 74 and 75 with associated flow control valves 76 and 77, with the inlet passages merging into a common discharge passage 78. The inlet ends of the inlet passages are provided with threaded recesses to accommodate threaded nipples or fittings, while the outlet end of the manifold defines an integral threaded nipple or nozzle 79.

Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown a Y-shaped manifold 82 having cylindrical inlet legs 83 and 84 and a cylindrical outlet leg 85. Adjustable flow control valves 86 control the flow through the passages in the inlet legs, each of which is provided with an annular rib 87 adjacent to its end for retaining thereon a flexible and resilient conduit, fabricated of rubber or other appropriate material commensurate with its usage.

In FIG. 11 is shown a similar manifold 88 having inlet legs 89 and 90 with associated control valves 91, and an outlet leg 92. The outer ends of the manifold legs are externally threaded for attachment to suitable conduits or fittings for connecting the manifold into a mixing system.

FIG. 12 shows a manifold 94 which is substantially identical to the manifold 10 of FIG. I, having inlet legs 95 and 96 with associated flow control valves 97, and an outlet leg 98. This manifold differs in that each of the legs is provided with an integral threaded nipple 99 by means of which the manifold is connected to suitable conduits.

The advantages of the above-described mixing manifold are that the valves are readily adjustable with a suitable instrument to a preselected flow position and will remain in the preselected position until readjusted, and are not subject to being inadvertently moved from the preselected position. The valves are interchangeable so that, should one valve become damaged, it may be readily replaced with a valve of like kind. Similarly, the invention contemplates the use of interchangeable valves having flow orifices of different dimensions so thatthe manifold may be adapted at will to the handling of materials of different densities. The indicia means provided on the valves provide for the making of minute adjustments of flow for one or several of the ingredients.

A mixing manifold according to the invention is particularly useful for the purpose of experimentation for the mixing of various proportions of liquids or comminuted solids, to determine changes in reactions when variations of proportions are effected. Another application of the invention is in the dispensing of beverages including the combination of several liquid and/or comminuted solid ingredients.

The invention may obviously be modified in structure and design by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A mixing manifold comprising a flat unitary housing having parallel side walls, a single outlet passage formed in and opening from said housing, a plurality of individual inlet passages formed in said housing defining Y-branches communicating with said single outlet passage, all of said passages being disposed in a common plane, said inlet passages all being of uniform circular cross-section, an inlet opening in said housing for each of said inlet passages;

an adjustable valve disposed in each passage for selectively varying the flow therethrough, and coacting indicia means on each valve and on said housing for indicating the relative size of the valve flow orifice communicating with the respective inlet passage;

each of said valves comprising a cylindrical valve bore traversing an inlet passage and a counterbore at each end of said cylindrical bore opening to the opposite side walls of said housing, said cylindrical valve bores for all valves being of the same diameter and being of larger diameter than the inlet passages, and a valve member comprising a cylindrical body dimensioned to seat within said cylindrical bore and having an enlarged head at one end of said cylindrical body dimensioned to be received in one of said counterbores; retaining means including a compression spring positioned within the other of said counterbores and coacting with said valve body to retain and axially locate the valve member in its respective bore; and recess means in said valve head adapted to receive an instrument for selectively rotating said valve body relative to said valve bore;

said valve member body including a transverse bore defining a valve passage corresponding in cross-section to that of said inlet passages, said valve passage disposed to be fully aligned with an inlet passage in the full open position of said valve member, and said valve passage presenting a valve orifice of varying cross-section to said inlet passage as said member is rotated within said valve bore. 

1. A mixing manifold comprising a flat unitary housing having parallel side walls, a single outlet passage formed in and opening from said housing, a plurality of individual inlet passages formed in said housing defining Y-branches communicating with said single outlet passage, all of said passages being disposed in a common plane, said inlet passages all being of uniform circular crosssection, an inlet opening in said housing for each of said inlet passages; an adjustable valve disposed in each passage for selectively varying the flow therethrough, and coacting indicia means on each valve and on said housing for indicating the relative size of the valve flow orifice communicating with the respective inlet passage; each of said valves comprising a cylindrical valve bore traversing an inlet passage and a counterbore at each end of said cylindrical bore opening to the opposite side walls of said housing, said cylindrical valve bores for all valves being of the same diameter and being of larger diameter than the inlet passages, and a valve member comprising a cylindrical body dimensioned to seat within said cylindrical bore and having an enlarged head at one end of said cylindrical body dimensioned to be received in one of said counterbores; retaining means including a compression spring positioned within the other of said counterbores and coacting with said valve body to retain and axially locate the valve member in its respective bore; and recess means in said valve head adapted to receive an instrument for selectively rotating said valve body relative to said valve bore; said valve member body including a transverse bore defining a valve passage corresponding in cross-section to that of said inlet passages, said valve passage disposed to be fully aligned with an inlet passage in the full open position of said valve member, and said valve passage presenting a valve orifice of varying cross-section to said inlet passage as said member is rotated within said valve bore. 